Monday (6/16): "But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil"

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42   38 "You have heard that it has been said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you, do not fight with the man who wants to fight. Whoever hits you on the right side of the face, turn so he can hit the other side also. 40 If any person takes you to court to get your shirt, give him your coat also. 41 Whoever makes you walk a short way, go with him twice as far. 42 Give to any person who asks you for something. Do not say no to the man who wants to use something of yours.

Meditation: Jesus does something quite remarkable and unheard of.  He transforms the law of mercy with grace and loving-kindness.  Jesus also makes clear that there is no room for retaliation.  We must not only avoid returning evil for evil, but we must seek the good of those who wish us ill. Do you accept insults, as Jesus did, with no resentment or malice?  When you are compelled by others to do more than you think you deserve, do you insist on your rights, or do you respond with grace and cheerfulness?

What makes a Christian different from everyone else?  What makes Christianity distinct from any other religion?  It is grace — treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated — with loving-kindness and mercy.  Only the cross of  Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good.  Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction.  Do you know the power of Christ’s redeeming love and mercy?

Prayer: “O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.  Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109)

Psalm 5:2-7

2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God. For I pray to you.
 3 In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my prayers before You and will look up.

 4 You are not a God Who is pleased with what is bad. The sinful cannot be with You.
 5 The proud cannot stand before You. You hate all who do wrong.
 6 You destroy those who tell lies. The Lord hates liars and men who kill other people.

 7 But as for me, by Your great loving-kindness, I will come into Your house. At Your holy house I will put my face to the ground before You in love and fear.